Preglued egg carton



April 21, 1970 c. R. HELMS. 3,507,439

PREGLUED EGG CARTON Filed Aug. 1, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lOb FIGI [6016b IOe l6 6 l /2 I JQI IXI 20c x 4 IO "25o IOb IOe I00 INVENTOR 3 C. ROBERT HELMS A TORNEY April 21, 1970 I c. R. HELMS 3,

PREGLUED EGG CARTON Filed Aug. 1, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR C. ROBERT HELMS ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,507,439 PREGLUED EGG CARTON Charles Robert Helms, East Greenville, Pa., assignor t0 Container Corporation of America, Chicago, 111., a

corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 1, 1968, Ser. No. 749,435 Int. Cl. B65d /48 US. Cl. 22928 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The carton has a bottom panel to support two rows of eggs. Side walls are hinged to the sides of the bottom. Separate top panels, hinged on the upper edge of each side wall meet centrally and have a plurality of cut-out flaps to be folded down to form transverse partitions. The meeting edges of the top panels each have a downfolded panel to form a composite, central partition. The upper areas of the central partition panels are secured together fiatwise and their lower portions are spread apart to assume an inverted V-shape. The lower edge portions of the partition panels are connected to the bottom on opposite sides of its longitudinal center line.

The present invention relates to foldable preglued cartons which may be produced and stored in collapsed form and readily expanded for the reception of eggs or similar fragile articles.

Among the important objects of the invention are to provide a strong, crush-resistant carton formed from a single blank of paperboard to afford a. maximum degree of protection to its contents with a minimum area of paperboard, and to provide a carton that is made from a blank that can be glued at a high speed due to the relatively simple sequence of folding as the carton blank passes through the gluing machine.

A further object is to provide new and improved locking means for the carton end-closure panels.

Additional and more specific objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of an end portion of a suitable form of blank from which the carton may be made;

FIGURE 2 is a partial perspective view showing the end-portion of the carton blank in partially folded condition;

FIGURE 3 is a partial perspective view, on a larger scale, the carton substantially in collapsed condition and ready for delivery to the point of use;

FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 are partial perspective views, also on a larger scale, showing progressive stages in setting up the carton and locking the end closure panels in position;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken transversely through the set-up carton along a median line;

FIGURES 8 through 12 are perspective views of the end portions of modified forms of the carton having substantially the basic cross section of the carton shown in FIGURES l to 7, but with different locking means for the end panels; and

FIGURE 13 is a partial view of a blank relating to carton shown in FIGURE 12.

The carton of the present invention is well adapted for use with a shrink-film overwrap as disclosed in the patent to R. T. Walter, No. 3,246,827.

For simplicity of illustration, the views in the drawings show only portions of the carton, it being understood that the complete carton in practice will be constructed to hold a dozen eggs in two rows of six eggs each, and that the three sets of transverse partitions in opposite halves of the carton will swing downward and toward the mid- 3,507,439 Patented Apr. 21, 1970 portion of the carton, somewhat similar to the partition construction of the above mentioned patent.

Referring to FIGURE 1, the carton blank may comprise an elongated central panel 1, forming the bottom; side wall panels 2 and 3 hinged to the bottom panel along fold lines 4- and 5; top panels, indicated generally at 6 and 7, joined to the outer edge portions of the side panels along interrupted fold lines 8 and 9; and center partition panels, indicated generally at 10 and 11, which are joined to the outer edges of the top panels along interrupted fold lines 12 and 13.

The bottom panel of the blank has a center longitudinal fold line 1a dividing the panel into two equal sections 1b and 10. As shown in FIGURE 7, the bottom panel in the set-up condition of the carton, is folded convexly upward in the form of a shallow, inverted V. The bottom sections 1b and 10 will thus support the eggs above the level of the lower edges of side walls 2 and 3.

To assist in maintaining the bottom sections in sloping position the bottom panel is die-cut to provide a doublepurpose tab element, preferably for each cell of the carton. The tab elements on one side of fold line 1a are each indicated as a whole at 14 and on the other side at 15. The two groups of tab elements are preferably identical, but reversely positioned. Referring to tab element 15, as best shown in FIGURES 3 and 7, it is formed with a foot section 15:: and an upper section 15b, which may be termed an attaching section, to be explained presently. In diecutting the tab element 15, it is left swingably supported on two aligned median hinge lines 150, 15c. The lower end of the foot section 15a is generally aligned with the lower edges of the side walls thus tending to keep the bottom panel in the position shown in FIGURE 7.

The center partition panels 10 and 11 are identical but reversely formed. Each panel may be considered as being formed in two sections. Sections 10a and 11a adjacent the respective interrupted fold lines 12 and 13 are arranged to be glued together. The remaining portions of the panels 10 and 11 are formed with a plurality of separate sections, indicated respectively at 10b, 10b and 11b, 11b, hinged respectively along lines and 110. The sections 10b, 10b and 11b, 11b are preferably separated by pairs of closely spaced slits 10d, 10d and 11d, 11d, and the material between such slits may be displaced from the planes of the sections to permit the edges of the sections 10b and 11b to retain the transverse partitions in a manner presently to be described.

The sections 10b and 11b are formed with narrower extended portions 10e and 11e, respectively, that are arranged to be secured flat against the respective upper attaching sections 14b and 15b of the tab elements 14 and 15. See FIGURES 2 and 7.

The carton blanks may be assembled on well known gluing equipment. The blank may be advanced in a direction aligned lengthwise of the panels and glue may be applied first to the upper surfaces of extended portions 10e, 10s and 112, He. This may be done by a simple glue roll and needs no timing, as the portions extend outwardly beyond the remainder of the blank. After glue has been applied to the portions 10c and 112, the advancing blank is folded over along fold lines 8 and 9*, as shown in FIG- URE 2, which will bring the extended portions 102, 10e down upon the respective upper parts 14b, 14b of tab elements 14, and, the extended portions 1142, He down upon portions 15b, 15b.

As the blank continues its advance, glue is applied to the portion 11a of panel 11 after which the opposite part of the blank will be folded along the center fold line In which will bring the portion 10a down upon portion 11a, thus completing the carton in collapsed form, as approximately shown in FIGURE 3, which shows the parts somewhat separated for greater clarity.

The top panels 6 and 7 may be identical except for the flaps or panels at their ends which form the end closure elements. These will be described below. Re ferring particularly to FIGURES l and 5, it is apparent that, except for the end closure elements at the ends of the blank, the major portions of top panels 6 and 7 are employed to provide the transverse partitions indicated at 16, 16 and 17, 17. These partitions are of generally rectangular shape, except that their outer free corners are cut diagonally to leave small triangular supporting portions. The endmost triangular portions, indicated at 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b respectively, are employed to support end closure flaps to be described. The next two sets of triangular portions of each half-section of the top panel are employed to provide hinging support for the first and second sets of partitions 16, 16 and 17, 17. These are shown at 6c, 6d and 7c, 7d. The supporting means for the third set of partitions is not shown herein. Such partitions may be supported in the same manner as the first two sets, if desired.

To provide additional supporting means for the transverse partitions, hinged sections are formed from the material of the side walls 2 and 3. As best shown in FIG- URES 1, and 6, a triangular section 1611 is hinged directly to the lateral outside edge of partition 16 and a second triangular section 16b is hinged on one side to the section 16a and on the other side to the body of side wall panel 2. Equivalent sections 17a and 17b join the lateral outside edge of partition 17 to the body of side Wall panel 3. For greater ease in swinging the partitions into place a major portion of the hinge lines on each side of the section 16b and section 17b may be perforated.

When the transverse partitions are swung down, their inner, vertical edges move along the faces of the inclined portionsthat is, 10b, in the case of partition 16, and 11b, in the case of partition 17, and snap into place behind the edges of these inclined portions. The small strips of material between the slits, as shown at 11d, 11d, need not be stripped out as they will be displaced inward when the edge of the partition 17 snaps into position.

The end closure construction comprises two principal panels or flaps 20 and 21, hinged respectively on the triangular parts 6a, 6b and 7a, 7b; and additional flaps 22 and 23 hinged respectively to the ends of side wall panels 2 and 3. The flaps 20 and 22 are connected by a gusset fold portion 20a; and the flaps 21 and 23 are connected by a gusset fold portion 21a. Each gusset fold is formed with two converging lines of perforations.

The flap 21 has an extension 21b arranged to be folded beneath flap 21, or against the inside surface of flap 21 in its fully closed position.

The flap 20 has a narrow hinged tab 200 on its edge adjacent the center line of the carton when set up, and below the hinged tab there is formed a rigid tab 20b.

The edge portions of flaps 20 and 21, just referred to, cooperate with an extended, composite hook element, indicated at 25, which is formed by gluing together the hook shaped ends 25a and 25b of the portions 10a and 11a of panels 10 and 11.

To close the end of the carton the flaps 22 and 23 are first swung to closed position, after which the hinged extension 21b is folded against flap 21 and such flap is folded down so that its edge will bear frictionally on the lateral surface of the hook element 25. The flap 20 may then be swung down. The narrow hinged tab 200 will bear frictionally on the opposite lateral surface of the hook 25 and the rigid tab 20b will snap past the end of hook 25 and will be held in place thereby. The extended end of the rigid tab will overlie the outer edge portion of the downfolded flap 21 and assist in retaining this flap in closed position. The carton is then ready to be overwrapped with a shrink-film wrapping or other suitable wrapper.

Due to the upward inclination of the two portions of the bottom panel and the inclination of the portions 10b and 11b each egg will be held supported in its cell safe from contact with the supporting surface on which the filled carton may rest. The openings formed by the displaced upper attaching sections 14b and 15b may conveniently be utilized in the removal of the eggs by upward finger ressure against the egg through such opening.

Referring to the modification shown in FIGURE 8, the longitudinal partition panels have the same cross-sectional arrangement, as has been indicated in FIGURE 7, whereby the lower ends of the flaring panel sections may be joined to upwardly extending attaching flaps or tabs released from the bottom panel by die-cutting.

At the ends of the outwardly flaring panel sections are portions 31 and 32 that are secured to upwardly folded attaching flaps 33 and 34 formed at the ends of the bottom panel. Downwardly foldable end wall flaps 35 and 36, similar to end wall flaps 20 and 21, are formed with short, rigid locking tabs on their adjacent lower corners. One of these tabs is shown at 38. The rigid tabs are arranged to be snapped into narrow openings formed in the respective flaring panel sections.

Vertically hinged closure flaps 39 and 40, similar to flaps 22 and 23, are formed 'with extended portions 41 and 42 near their respective free, lower corners. Each portion 41 and 42 has an upwardly projecting tab, indicated at 43 and 44, to form an upwardly facing notch between each tab and the vertical edge of the closure flap that conforms to the apex formed by the slope of the bottom panel and each angularly related section 33 and 34.

When the end of the carton is to be closed, the flaps 39 and 40 will first be swung to closed position. The portions of the flaps which form the notches may be made to conform closely to the angle of the attaching flaps and bottom panel with a frictional fit. However, if desired, a small notch may be cut at the apex formed by the meeting edge of the attaching flap and bottom panel to receive and retain the edge of the closure flap.

After the closure flaps 39 and 40 are swung to closed position the flaps 35 and 36 are swung down and secured in place as described above. The carton is then ready to be wrapped.

Referring to the modified form illustrated in FIGURE 9, the flaring lower portions 50 and 51 of the center partition members extend downward sufficiently so that their ends will meet the bottom panel. Hinged fiaps 52 and 53 on the lower ends of the partition members are folded laterally and secured fiatwise to the bottom panel.

In forming the end closure structure of this modified form, the adjacent lower corners of the downwardly swingable flaps 54 and 55 may be arranged to bear frictionally upon the faces of the flaring panel portions 50 and 51, and the vertically hinged flaps 56 and 57 are formed with upwardly extending, rigid tabs 58 and 59 so that when these flaps are pressed inwardly the tabs will snap past the lower edges of the respective adjacent flaps 54 and 55 and will be held thereby.

In FIGURE 10, the downwardly swingable flaps 60 and 61 are arranged to have their lower adjacent corners received into narrow slots formed in the flaring panel portions '62 and 63. The vertically hinged closure flaps 64 and 65 at their lower free corners have rigid tab extensions 6'6 and 67 which, when the flaps are closed, engage with a snap action behind rigid tabs 68 and 69 formed in the ends of the bottom panel.

The vertically hinged flaps 64 and 65 are first closed, after which the flaps 60 and 61 are swung down against the outside surfaces of flaps 64 and 65 to retain their upper end portions.

In FIGURE 11, the downwardly swingable flaps 70 and 71 are formed with rigid tabs 72 and 73 on their outer ends. The vertically hinged flaps on the side walls, indicated at 74 and 75, are each formed with a slot,

shown at 76 and 77, into which the tabs may be received with a snap action.

FIGURES 12 and 13 shows a partially erected carton and a blank from "which the carton is to be formed, respectively. The construction here is similar to that shown in FIGURES 1-6 except that locking is accomplished by inserting tabs 20c and 210 through openings 22c and 23c, respectively. FIGURE 12 illustrates tab 20c before locking, while tab 21c is shown in locked position.

It is considered obvious that various modifications may be made in the form of the various parts of the carton, other than in the embodiments illustrated and described herein, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a cellular, paperboard carton the combination of (a) a bottom forming panel;

(b) side wall panels;

(c) top panels carried by the side walls and extending inward to meet centrally of the carton and each forming one-half of a composite top panel;

(d) the meeting edges of the top panels each having a center panel member depending therefrom to form a composite center partition;

(9) the end of such center partition being extended at the end of the carton and terminating in a downwardly extending hook element;

(f) vertically hinged closure flaps on the ends of the respective side walls;

(g) downwardly swingable closure flaps hinged on the end of each top panel and arranged to overlap the side wall flaps;

(h) the inner, adjacent edges of the downwardly swingable flaps being cut to clear the sides of the extended hook element; and

(i) one of the downwardly swingable flaps having on its inner edge a short, rigid tab arranged to move past the lower end of the hook element with a snap action and to be retained thereby, said rigid tab I being also adapted to overlap the edge of the adjacent flap and retain it in closed position.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein one of the downwardly swingable flaps has a narrow hinged tab on its inner edge arranged to bear frictionally against the latter surface of the hook element.

3. In a cellular, paperboard carton for eggs and other fragile articles, the combination of:

(a) an elongated bottom-forming panel foldable along its longitudinal center line;

(b) side wall panels hinged to the sides of the bottom panel;

(,c) top panels hinged to the upper edges of the side panels and arranged to meet centrally of the carton and each forming one-half of a composite top panel;

(i) said top panels being die-cut to provide a plurality of hinged, downwardly swingable, transverse partition panels, to form cell walls for individual eggs;

((1) an elongated panel member hinged on each of the meeting edges of the top panel and extending downwardly toward the bottom panel to form a center partition, said center partition members being arranged to be secured together in a limited area adjacent their connections with the top panels, and having their lower portions free to flare away from each other to form inner cell walls;

(e) means for connecting the flared lower edge portions of the center partition members to the bottom panel in positions spaced from and on opposite sides of the bottom panel center line;

(f) the lower free portions of the center partition members being severed along vertical lines to form separate partition elements for the individual cells;

(g) said bottom panel being formed with a plurality of upwardly extending, longitudinally spaced, at-

taching tabs for attachment to the respective lower end portions of the separate partition elements.

4. In a cellular, paperboard carton for eggs and other fragile articles, the combination of:

(a) an elongated bottom-forming panel foldable along its longitudinal center line;

(b) side wall panels hinged to the sides of the bottom panel;

(0) top panels hinged to the upper edges of the side panels and arranged to meet centrally of the carton and each forming one-half of a composite top panel;

(i) said top panels being die-cut to provide a plurality of hinged, downwardly swingable, transverse partition panels. to form cell walls for individual eggs;

(d) an elongated panel member hinged on each of the meeting edges of the top panel and extending downwardly toward the bottom panel to form a center partition, said center partition members being arranged to be secured together in a limited area adjacent their connections with the top panels, and having their lower portions free to flare away from each other to form inner cell walls;

(e) means for connecting the flared lower edge portionsof the center partition members to the bottom panel in positions spaced from and on opposite sides of the bottom panel center line;

(f) the lower free portions of the center partition members being severed along spaced vertical lines to form separate partition elements for the individual cells;

(g) said bottom panel being formed with a plurality of longitudinally spaced, die-cut tab elements integrally hinged along median lines to swing to a generally vertical position, whereby each provides a downwardly extending attaching portion for attachment to the depending lower ends of the individual partition elements.

5. In a cellular, paperboard carton for eggs and other fragile articles, the combination of:

(a) an elongated bottom-forming panel foldable along its longitudinal center line;

(b) side wall panels hinged to the sides of the bottom panel;

(c) top panels hinged to the upper edges of the side panels and arranged to meet centrally of the carton and each forming one-half of a composite top panel;

(i) said top panels being die-cut to provide a plurality of hinged, downwardly swingable, transverse partition panels, to form cell walls for individual eggs;

(d) an elongated panel member hinged on each of the meeting edges of the top panel and extending. downwardly toward the bottom panel to form a center partition, said center partition members being arranged to be secured together in a limited area adjacent their connections with the top panels, and having their lower portions free to flare away from each other to form inner cell 'walls;

(e) means for connecting the flared lower edge portions of the center partition members to the bottom panel in positions spaced from and on opposite sides of the bottom panel center line;

(f) the lower free portions of the center partition members being severed along vertical lines to form separate partition elements for individual cells, the adjacent vertical edges of the partition elements being slightly spaced;

(g) said die-cut, transverse partition panels being cut so that their edges adjacent the longitudinal center line of the carton will bear frictionally against the flaring surfaces of the center partition members as the transverse partition panels are swung downwardly to vertical position and such edge of each transverse 7 8 partition will snap behind the edge of its adjacent (e) means for connecting the flared lower edge porcenter partition element to be retained thereby. tions of the center partition members to the bottom 6. In a cellular, paperboard carton for eggs and other panel in positions spaced from and on opposite sides fragile articles, the combination of: of the bottom panel center line;

(a) an elongated bottom-forming panel foldable along (f) the lower free portions of the center partition memits longitudinal center line; 5 bers having vertical slits formed therein to provide (b) side wall panels hinged to the sides of the botpartition elements for individual cells,'said lower porto'm panel; tions extending downward to the bottom panel; (0) top panels hinged to the upper edges of the side (g) said lower ends of the center partition members panels and arranged to meet centrally of the carton 10 having attaching flaps thereon to be secured to the and each forming one-half of a composite top panel; bottom panel.

(i) said top panels being die-cut to provide a plurality of hinged, downwardly swingable, trans- References Cited verse partition panels, to form cell walls for UNITED STATES PATENTS individual eggs; 15 (d) an elongated panel member hinged on each of the 1913441 6/1933 Guyer' meeting edges of the top panel and extending, clown- 2382202 8/1945 Buttery 73 W the to form i center DAVID M. BOCKENEK, Primary Examiner tition, said center partition members bemg arranged to be secured together in a limited area adjacent their 20 connections with the top panels, and having their 9 lower portions free to flare away from each other to form inner cell walls; and 

